The Football Association of Ireland today appointed sports management company Genesis to conduct a report on the FAI's organisation and involvement at the World Cup.
The association came in for heavy criticism for its handling of the Roy Keane affair. It was also denounced by some for choosing Saipan as the Irish team’s pre-tournament base. Keane openly critcised the lack of training facilities and equipment on the island.
Keane also suggested that players were being mobbed by supporters on too many occasions.
Brendan Menton, general secretary of the FAI, responded by saying Ireland have traditionally encouraged the bond between player and fan.
"Culturally we do things our own way but we are as professional as everyone else. I do not see this review as something which puts a ring-fence round the team," said Menton, who was speaking at a press conference ahead of tomorrow's friendly international with Finland.
Genesis will assist Maurice O’Connell - the former Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland who will conduct the report. They will investigate the FAI’s preparation and support of the team at the World Cup and compare their findings against other nations.
A strategy for the FAI to achieve greater success at the 2004 European Championships and the next World Cup in Germany will then be developed.
Speaking on RTEin June, Menton admitted the association had been caught out by the Roy Keane "affair".
"I've no problem in saying, yes, the FAI was not geared up in Saipan to manage a crisis of that magnitude," Menton said. "I think our review will show that we got most things right. The one thing that caught us out was we didn't foresee a crisis of that magnitude, with Roy Keane going home."
The FAI said an interim report will be provided in September.